In the mid-1990s, the gardening staff at UNC-Charlotte Botanical Gardens put together a "Dark Collection" of plants that had black or almost black foliage or flowers. Since then, black plants have become en vogue. There are exciting, new, black plants being introduced on the market every year.

Be forewarned that some black plants are not actually a true black, but more of a dark purple or burgundy.

Black plants look great paired with white blooms, as well as hot colors, like Halloween orange. Use them to cast a spell over your garden...